Home to artist hangouts, tons of amazing restaurants, trendy clubs, luxury malls, Taipei 101, the Xinyi District is more than just the Commercial hub of Taipei. It’s also a spot worth spending at least a full day exploring on any visit to Taiwan.

While Zimmern could have chosen his words (for which he’s apologized publicly) more carefully, taken in the context of the overall conversation it’s clear none of his comments were meant to disparage Chinese cuisine in America, or Chinese-Americans (in or out of the food industry). Zimmern’s respect for culinary culture and the people who work in the food industry is well-documented. As a journalist who has spent most of his adult life living in Taiwan and China and promoting their shared culinary and cultural heritage, I believe the social-media uproar over his comments are quite unjustified, and that his knee-jerk demotion should be overturned.

Taiwan is attracting an increasing number of bloggers, travel journalists and other folks collectively known as influencers looking to experience its fair shores. Influencers are a different breed than your average traveler. Sure, they’re attracted by the same Taiwan experiences: Vibrant cities, great cuisine, hikes in the mountains and hot springs, all that stuff. But…

Taiwan has attracted foreign talent for decades, but to our knowledge Daniel Bullivant is one of a select few Englishmen to make his name as British Barber for Gentlemen in Taiwan. Though he came here six years ago to travel, fate had other plans.